Stayed at that very hotel for Christmas. It was so rad to look out the window and see China Banks. GNARLY spot. Made me really respect what's been done there. Especially top block grinders. The drop from the top is certain death.Whiteley summed it up perfectly in that ode to the blocks though.

I will never forget seeing Think's "Damage" video when it came out in 1996 and seeing Phil Shao destroy the China Banks. If I am remembering it right, it was not during his part but near the end of the video. Nearly 15 full years after his death he is still sorely missed. He would have been one of those guys ripping into his 40's and beyond had he made it to that age. RIP

Man, I went there one night in like 1999 with Gonz, Joe Pino, and my old roommate Rodent. I gained a total appreciation for all the footage I'd ever seen from that place, and for how gnarly all these skaters were, especially Drehobl.

If it were daytime, I maybe could have carved over one of the benches, and maybe could get a rock n roll, but anything more than that would be out of my league.

And having met Gonz for the first time that night, I was just watching him really. We didn't stay at the banks very long, cause there was very little you could see there at night.

It's rough and it's super tight right at the bottom so your almost doing a slappy to get to the tranny.

And if that's not bad enough, you could also fall to your death if you somehow lose your balance near the top.

My favorite pic has to be Strangers frontside ollie. Just so cool. And Pat Duffys backside tail is bananas.